St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-08-13

1 StTenStn Oh MS Iatner. 1OunS Joe, -
he was called. was until his death in
the employ ofthe Rogers Iron Company.
at Ausable Forks. Its president, Henry
d. Graves, under date of February s.
1887, furnishes the following infOrma-
tion concerning the family: 'JOseph
Call. son of old Joe. died nearly two
years ago. and there are none of his
family now living near us. One son
and the widow of young Joe live in the
town of North Elba, and have learned
that the widow has an old Bible with
the record in relation to the birth,
death, ETC.. of Old Joe. A good many
years ago there was life Of Joe Call
published. but think it will be impos-
siblc to find one now. Ihave found an
old book entitled Daring Exploits and
Perilous Adventures which has an
article on Joe Call, the Modern Her.
cules. which gives some of his ex-
ploits."
The following chapter is taken from
book published at New Haven. Conn.,.
by L. H. Young. about sixty years ago.
and is entitled Joe Call. the Modern
Hercules" There are incidents in the
life of every individual. however insig-
nificant his station may be in society,
which. if fairly written out. would be
looked upon by the sneering wise-acres
Of this skeptical age as little better than
sheer fiction. But the true philosopher.
with deeper vision, sees truth stamped
upon them, and only wonders at the
mysterious Providence who has thus
seen fit 20 weave the beautiful flowers
of romance in the dark woof Of ordinary
life. The life of the late Joseph Call.
of Lewis, in New York. was rife with
such incidents, and although it is for
eign to our purpose in the present ar
ticle to play the part of biographer to
his memory, yet we have thought an
idle hour would not be unprofitably
spent in rescuing from oblivion few
desultory instances in which he dis
played the great and incredible strength
with which he was gifted.
OF his early childhood we know but
little. except that he was the leader and
champion of all the boys in his neigh
borhood. One incident, however, has
been related to us which. although it
does not show our hero in q very favor
able light as scholar, displays that Pc
culiar trait Of humor for which he was
SO remarkable. 1t seems that upon a
cov-< n -, <,..,-;o,, voa haI l>onu <v,,:lev
of breach Of the rules of school. and
accordingly the worthy pedagogue
called him up to administer the requi-
site correction. Joe. indignant at the
idea Of being publicly whipped. no
soeRer made his appearance on the
floor. than seizing upon the "stonished
knight of the birch, as Uncle Toby did
upon the fly. he incontinently flung him
neck and heels out Of the window, amid
the uproariOus shouts of his companions.
As he grew older his natural joviality
of disposition led him to frequen; whim-
sical displays of physical superiority.
At one time. he would lift barrel of
cider to his lips, and having satisfied
his own hirst from the bunghole.
would grayely offer to pass it around
to the company. At another, stealing
silently behind tcamster's wagon. he
would seize hold of the wheel. and sud-
denly bringing the team to hal,,
would quietly remark. - breathing
spell to yoar nags. neighbor." At one
period Of his life. when teamster him
self. he used frequently to find his inn
mense strength OF great service, for
whenever his team would happen to get
set in a mud-hOle he would crawl under
his wag.n. and placing his broad SEOUL
ders against the bottom. would raise
wagon. load an all. gradually up until
his horses were aole to dcag it forth
without difficulty.
A celebrated wrestler from Albany,
havirg heard of Joe's reputation.
once made him visit for the express
purpose, rs he declared. ''of giving
him a touch of the fancy" Joe.
with his usual nodesty. disclaimed
all knowledge of the exercise.
but upon the stranger pressing
him. finally consented to take hold
Accordingly they grapplcd. the stranger
throwing himself in the most scientific
position. whilst Joe. pretending utter
ignorance of all rule, assumed the most
careless and exposed attitude. They
had scarcely got fair hold when the
stranger. placing his foot On Joe's toe,
attempted with sudden JERK to throw
him by what is termed the toe lock
But Joe, anticipating his movement
quietly perm tied him to assume the
necessary position, and then. as he
stood for moment balancing on Joe's
toe. gravely raised him into the air and
danced him about as . mother would
her child.
On one occasion. Joe. happening to
spend night Al ST. Johns. as he sat in
the bar-room Of the hotel where he
stopped, tae conversation turned upon
wrestling. Joe. being an entire stranger
to the company collected. sal listening
to the conversation without participat-
ing much iu it. At length one indi-
vidual. after relating several wonder
full feats which he had accomplished.
finally wound up By roundly asserting
that he had thrown Joe Call. Joe. as
might readily be supposed. was not .
little surprised at this assertion from
an entire stranger and. in that spirit Of
fun which always prompted him, ex-
claimed: "Why, you'd swallow . COM
mon man! l should like to take hold
Of you myself, Il you would promise
not to hurt me-" Tho braggadocio in